Locomotive structure



Jan. 23, 1934. H. M. PFLAGER LOCOMOT IVE STRUCTURE Filed April 18, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 23, 1934. H. M. PFLAGER LOCOMOTIVE STRUCTURE Filed April 18, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 g 2 I i I I Z ""101!!! Jan. 23, .1934.

H. M. PFLAGER LOCOMOTIVE' STRUCTURE Filed April 18, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Awe/1 for Amy-12g 30 bar and draft gear to the main members of th Patented Jan. 23, 1934 pa e isms LOCOMOTIVE STRUCTURE Harry M. Pflager, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to General Steel Castings Corporation, Granite City,

111., a corporation of Delaware Application April 18, 1932. Serial No. 605,847 1 22 claims. (01. 105-44) rigidly supported from the adjacent underframe or boiler saddle by means of connections of box section or other shape extending from end to end of the cylinders. The cylinders are heated to a comparatively high temperature by the steam and the consequent thermal expansion of the cylinders is transmitted through the connections to the underframe. However, the adjacent portions of the underframe receive less heat than the cylinders and tend to resist the expansion of the cylinders and connections resulting in the setting up of diiferential strains which frequently damage the structure. This result is aggravated where cylinders are formed integral with the underframe or cylinder saddle.

The main object of the present invention is to provide means for connecting the main steam cylinders to the underframe, or saddle, which will decrease the differential strains set up in the underframe and cylinderconnections and the consequent danger of rupture, and at the same time, provide a strong buffing and pulling column running from the front end of the locomotive, to take the forward drawbar and transmit the bufiing and pulling forces from the front drawunderframe of the locomotive. Another object is to provide a cylinder saddle structure in which the elements of the cylinder connections are more accessible for manufacturing and inspection than in the constructions previously used and in which the exhaust pa sages merge with and reinforce the upper portions of the connections. I

These objects and others are lattainedby the structures illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section taken on the longitudinal center line of an integral locomotive underframe embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a substantially horizontal half section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a half vertical transverse section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.-

Figure 5 is a substantiallyhorizontal section taken on the line 55 of Figure 6 and showing a modification.

Figure 6 is a half vertical section taken on the transverse center line of the cylinder saddle structure shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a view corresponding to Figure 5 Y and showing another modification.

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view corresponding to Figures 5 and 8 and showing another form of the invention.

Figure 11 is a vertical section taken on the line near the front end of the underframe are main steam cylinders 5, valve chambers, 6, and a boiler supportincluding vertical transverse webs '7 and 8 and side walls .9 having a smoke box seating flange 10 around the upper edges thereof. The

exhaust passages 11 extend from the ends of the valve chambers inwardly through the saddle and then upwardly and merge in a nozzle 12 which exhausts into the smoke box (not shown). A center plate structure 13 depends from the center of bottom web 2 between the main steam cylinders. l

The transverse webs 7 and 8 extend to thebottom of the underframe between supplementary walls 4 and serve as transverse braces for-the intermediate portion of the cylinder saddle. A pair of vertical transverse webs l i, spaced apart a less distance than webs '7 and 8, extend outwardly from supplementary walls 4, intersecting side walls 3, and merge with the main steam cylinders 5. Top and bottom webs 1 and 2 include portions 15 and 16 extending outwardly between webs l4 and forming therewith a substantially box section connection supporting the cylinder. The front and rear walls 14 of eat ch connection merge with the main steam cylinder along lines spaced apart a less distance than the length of the cylinder. Thus substantial end portions of the cylinders are free to expand without 15 extends sidewardly beyond walls 14 and merges with the bottom walls of the exhaust passages 11. The upper wall of the connection including these extensions is considerably Wider than the remainder of the connection but this wall will be uniformly heated by the exhaust steam in passages 11 which tends to equalize strains set up in the upper portion of the structure;

In Figures 5, 6 and '7, each side wall 18 includes an outwardly bulged portion 19 which merges with main steam cylinder 20 intermediate its ends. Bottom web 21 extends outwardly, as at 22, between the edges of bulged portion 19 but the top of the connection is left open between the exhaust passages 23 which extend inwardly from the ends of valve chamber. 24. The lower walls of passages 23 merge with and reinforce the upper edges of the U-section connection formed by portion 19 of the side wall and bottom web 22.

The cylinder connection shown in Figures 8 and 9 is similar to that in Figures 5, 6 and '7 except that outwardly extending webs 27 of the underframe side walls 28 project laterally at right angles and horizontal top wall 25 of the underframe includes an extension 26 between the upper edges of webs 27 cooperating with these webs and an outward extension 29 of the bottom web to form a box section cylinder connection. The

' top extension 26 is provided with a cleaning and inspection opening 26a and is extended longitudinally of the underframe on both sides of webs 27 and merges with the bottom walls of exhaust passages 28.

In Figures 10 and 11, the portion of side wall 30 rearwardly of cylinder 31 merges with the rear end of the cylinder. The part of the wall 30 adjacent the front end of the cylinder includes a portion 32, depressed inwardly from the cylinder, and a portion curving outwardly and merging with the cylinder a substantial distance rearwardly of the front end thereof. The top and bottom webs of the underframe include extensions 33 and 34 which merge with the inner wall of the cylinder, the former also merging with the lower walls of exhaust passages 35. As more clearly shown in Figure 10, a substantial portion of the main steam cylinders located forwardly of depressed portion 32 of the side wall is free to expand without affecting the adjacent underframe. In this modification, as well as the forms shown in Figures 5 to 9, the outwardly offset portions of the underframe side walls which merge with the main steam cylinders form the sole connections between the cylinders and the main portion of the underframe. V

In Figure 12, the portion 36 of the side wall rearwardly of main steam cylinder 37 merges with the rear end of the cylinder as in the previous form, but the portion 511 of the side wall forwardly of the cylinder terminates at a point spaced from the cylinder, being braced as at 40 from the supplementary longitudinal web 38. A vertical transverse web 39 extending entirely across the underframe merges with the main steam cylinders a substantial distance rearwardly of the front ends thereof and cooperates with side walls 36 to support the cylinders.

In the ordinary cylinder construction and in the construction heretofore used on locomotive beds in which the cylinders are cast integral with the main frames, the connections for the cylinder have extended the full length ofthe cylinder, and, accordingly, all the expansion forces set up by heat from the cylinder has been transmitted to the side'member of the locomotive frame or bed, which, being of less temperature ha the cylinder, has resisted the expansion of the cylinder, setting up stresses in both the cylinder and the outside member of the frame.

When the improved cylinder connections as shown in Figures 1 to 9, inclusive, are utilized, the total expansion of the connections is reduced about one-half, and the stresses in the underframe and the connections are greatly reduced, while at the same time a lighter, better and more substantial construction is provided.

In Figures 10 to 12, the side members of the frame are flared out to connect directly with the walls of the cylinders at their rear ends, and the top and bottom horizontal walls join the cylinder to the frame for only a portion of the entire length of the cylinder. Therefore only part of the expansion of the cylinders is delivered to the frame connections. The connections are heated by the heat from the cylinders but the temperature and consequent expansion decrease inwardly of the cylinder so that by the time the heat and expansive forces-reach the main backbone in the center of the underframe, the heat has been dissipated and the temperature of the backbone remains practically the same as the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere, and there are no substantial expansion forces present where the member 39 and the top and bottom walls 33 and 34 join the main backbone.

In the forms last referred to the back end of the cylinder remains practically stationary in relation to the side members of the frame and to the central backbone, but the forward connection to the cylinder is free to move in relation to the backbone due to the expansion resulting from the temperature of the cylinders.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the exact details of the structures illustrated but these may be varied as will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and exclusive use of all such modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

l. A locomotive underframe structure comprising a base member, a main steam cylinder at the side thereof, and a connection between said member and cylinder intermediate the ends of said cylinder, a substantial portion of said cylinder being spaced longitudinally of said member from said connection and free to expand without affecting thelatter. V

2. In a locomotive underframe structure, a base member, a main steam cylinder at the side thereof, and a box section member connecting said base member and said cylinder, the side walls of said connecting member merging with said cylinder intermediate the ends thereof.

3. In a locomotive underframe structure, a base member, a main steam cylinder at the side thereof, and a box-like section member connecting said base member and said cylinder, said cylinder including portions extending substantially forwardly and rearwardly of said connection and free to expand without affecting said member.

4. In a locomotive underframe structure, a base member including a cylinder saddle, a main steam cylinder and a valve chamber at the side of. said member, a connection between said member and said cylinder and having side walls, and a steam passage extending from said chamber into said saddle, said walls meeting said cylinder at.

points spaced apart a less distance than the length of said cylinder, and the upper part of said G011nti011 projecting longitudinally beyond said walls and form-ing portions of the walls of said passage.

said cylinder including spaced upwardly disposed webs,and a steam-passage extending from said chamber into said saddle, said passage including portions merging "with and reinforcing the upper portions of said webs.

7. In a locomotive underframe structura'a base member including a sidewall, and a main steam -c'ylinder adjacent said 'wall, said wall including an outwardly bfisetpor tion merging with said cylinder intermediate the ends thereof, substantial portions of said cylinder being free to expand without affecting said member.

8. In a locomotive underframe structure, a base member including a side wall, a main steam cylinder adjacent said wall, said wall including an outwardly offset portion merging with said cylinder intermediate the ends thereof, and a horizontal web at the bottom of said offset portion and forming therewith a U-section connection between said member and said cylinder, substantial portions of said cylinder being free to expand without affecting said member.

9. A locomotive integral underframe structure comprising a box-like section base member, a boiler saddle projecting above the same, main steam cylinders and valve chambers at the sides of said saddle, the side and bottom walls of said member being offset outwardly abreast said cylinders and forming U-section connections between said cylinders and said member, and steam passages extending from said chambers into said saddle and merging with and reinforcing the upper portions of said connections.

10. In a locomotive underframe structure, a base member having a side wall and top and bottom webs, a main steam cylinder adjacent said wall, and elements projecting laterally from said wall and merging with said cylinder intermediate its ends, said top and bottom webs extending outwardly between said elements and forming therewith a box-like section cylinder connection.

11. In a locomotive underframe structure, a base member including a side wall, and a main steam cylinder adjacent said wall, the portion of said wall at one end of said cylinder terminating with said end and the portion thereof at the other end of said cylinder being spaced inwardly therefrom and terminating in an outwardly disposed element merging with said cylinder intermediate its ends.

12. An integral locomotive underframe structure comprising a base member having a side wall and top and bottom Webs, a boiler saddle projecting above said member, a main steam cylinder and valve chamber adjacent said side wall, the portion of said wall at the rear of said cylinder being disposed outwardly and terminating at the rear end of the cylinder, and the portion of said wall in front of said cylinder terminating at a point spaced rearwardly of the front end of the cylinder, and a steam passage extending from said chamber into said saddle, a portion of the top web of said member forming a portion of the wall of said passage.

13. In a locomotive underframe structure, a base member including a side wall and a supplementary longitudinal web spaced inwardly therefrom, "a main steam cylinder at the side of said member, said wall merging with said cylinder adjacent the rear end thereof, and'a transverse member projecting outwardly from said supplementary web and merging with said cylinder intermediate its ends, there being a substantial portion of said cylinder in front of said transverse member free to expand without affecting said base member.

' 14 In a locomotive underframe structure, a box-like section base member, main steam cylinders at the sides thereof, the sides of the portion of said member to the rear of said cylinders mergingwith the rear ends of the latter, and the sides of the portion of said member in frontof said cylinders being spaced a less distance apartthan those of said first-mentioned portion and spaced from said cylinders, and-an upwardly disposed web extending across said latter portion and merging with said cylinders intermediate the ends thereof.

15. In a locomotive underframe structure, a base member including a side wall, and a steam cylinder adjacent said wall, said wall having a bulged portion merging with said cylinder intermediate the ends of the latter and forming the sole connection between the same and said member.

16. In a locomotive underframe structure, a base member including a side wall, and a steam cylinder adjacent said wall and connected intermediate its ends to a portion of said wall, said portion forming a portion of said cylinder, and said portion comprising the sole connection between said member and said cylinder.

1'7. A locomotive integral underframe strucsaddle, the top wall of said member merging with 13 said passages and there being an opening in said wall between said passages to facilitate manufacture and inspection.

18. A locomotive integral underframe structure comprising a box-like section base member, a boiler saddle projecting above the same, a main steam cylinder and a valve chamber at the side of said base member breast of said saddle, the vertical and horizontal walls of said member merging with said cylinder intermediate the ends thereof and forming a box-like section cylinder support, and steam passages extending from said chamber into said saddle, the top wall of said member merging with said passages and with the cylinder near its top and there being an opening in said wall between said passages and between said cylinder and said saddle to facilitate manufacture and inspection.

19. A locomotive integral underframe structure comprising a base member having top, bottom and side walls, a supplementary vertical web extending longitudinally of and spaced inwardly from said side walls, a vertical transverse web projecting outwardly from said supplementary web, and a main steam cylinder adjacent said member, the adjacent side wall of said member merging with the rear end of said cylinder and being discontinued in front thereof, and said transverse web merging with said cylinder inter- 1,50

mediate the ends thereof and cooperating'with said side wall to support said cylinder.

20. A locomotive integral underframe structure comprising a base member having top, bottom and side walls, supplementary vertical webs'extending lengthwise of said walls and spaced inwardly therefrom, a vertical transverse web extending across the structure and projecting outwardly from said supplementary webs andmain steam cylinders adjacent said member, said side walls merging with the rear ends of said cylinders and being discontinued in front thereof, and said transverse web merging with said cylinders intermediate the ends thereof and cooperating with said side walls to support said cylinders.

21. Ina locomotive underframe structure, a box-like base member, a main steam cylinder at the side thereof, the side of said member at the walls, and a main steam cylinder at the side of said member, said side wallat the rear of said cylinder merging with the rear end of said cylinder and the top and bottom walls of said member connecting with a portion of said cylinder extending from the rear end of the latter to a point spaced rearwardly from the front end thereof and also connecting with saidweb.

- H. M. PFLAGER. 

